Only one week into the LCK Summer 2022 and there are already plenty of talking points as the battle for places at this year's Worlds intensifies.
Week two features a big game at the top of the division between LCK Spring runners-up Gen.G Esports and DWG KIA on Wednesday, when we will also see both Fredit BRION and KT Rolster lock horns after they both started the Summer Split with successive defeats.
DWG KIA worth chancing in key top-of-the-table clash
What: Gen.G Esports v DWG KIA, LCK Summer 2022
Where: South Korea (online / offline)
When: 09:00, Wednesday 22nd June
How to watch: LCK Global Youtube Channel / Twitch
Odds: Gen.G -138, DWG KIA +100
It may only be week two in the LCK Summer but already there is a cracker on the cards as highflyers Gen.G Esports and DWG KIA prepare to lock horns.
Whilst Gen.G Esports finished as runners-up in the LCK Spring earlier this year, DWG KIA made the last four, having placed third in the regular-season standings.
And they have both made winning starts to the LCK Summer Split as only two of four teams to have a 100 percent winning record after two games.
They are also two of only three teams - the other being DRX - to have won both of those matches 2-0 and that makes this encounter all the more intriguing given neither side have yet let their guard down in this Split.
Gen.G have beaten KT Rolster and Hanwha Life Esports, whilst DWG have got the better of Fredit BRION and Liiv SANDBOX.
Ultimately, Gen.G Esports and DWG KIA are two of the finest sides in this division and the first bet to consider would be over 2.5 maps in this contest at 10/11 as it is sure to be competitive.
Gen.G defeated DWG KIA 3-2 in the LCK Spring semi-finals and, although it could again be tight, it could pay to back the reverse result this time around.
DWG KIA looked much stronger with Jang "Nuguri" Ha-gwon, a Worlds winner with the team back in 2020, returning as top laner and that is the area where this match could be won.
Whilst Gen.G have seen brilliant individual performances from Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon, who has twice been the MVP in this tournament already, they are often let down by the inconsistency of Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon as top laner and that has to be of concern when playing opposition like DWG KIA.
DWG, who made the final of the Mid-Season Invitational and World Championship last year, also look a more flexible team in terms of their drafting and that could make it tricky for Gen.G to make their picks.
At +100, DWG KIA could be a decent selection to win this key contest and take their win-loss record to 3-0 in the LCK Summer.
Gen.G Esports were in fact slow starters in their opening match with Fredit BRION with the match's first blood not coming to fruition until the 34th minute and, given how tight the clash with DWG KIA could be, another good bet could be map one's duration to be 35:30 or over.
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KT Rolster can bounce back from losing start to LCK Summer
What: Fredit BRION v KT Rolster, LCK Summer 2022
Where: South Korea (online / offline)
When: 12:00, Wednesday 22nd June
How to watch: LCK Global Youtube Channel / Twitch
Odds: Fredit BRION +125, KT Rolster -175
KT Rolster would have been disappointed to have missed out on the playoffs in the LCK Spring earlier this year and they are at risk of missing out again in the LCK Summer if they do not get back on track against Fredit BRION at the start of week two.
At the end of week one, KT Rolster have a 0-2 win-loss record and it could be tough to come back from 0-3 down, at least from a psychological standpoint.
That said, they have faced two of the league's toughest sides in Gen.G and T1 so far and their next opponents Fredit BRION, have also lost both of their opening matches.
KT also managed to nick a game off T1 in week one and they should be fancied at -175 to beat Fredit BRION, who were a little fortunate to make the LCK Spring playoffs earlier this year.
They also arguably have more flexibility to their draft than opponents Fredit BRION, in particular in the ADC and mid laner positions.
